PEORIA, Ill. — The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the Tri-County area are still low. But, expect that to change in the next week or two.
Keith Knepp, President and CEO of UnityPoint Health Central Illinois, told WMBD’s Greg and Dan, the area has been very lucky so far, having only eight confirmed cases to date.
“But, we are seeing freed up testing capacity. And, I think we should be prepared to see those numbers increasing,” Knepp said.
Knepp said the medical community is fully prepared for the number of COVID-19 cases to rise over the next seven to ten days.
Local hospitals haven’t received a sufficient number of kits to properly test the community for COVID-19.
“Right now, we are required to prioritize hospitalized patients, people that are at risk by being in a long-term care facility, health care workers, where we really need to have that answer back quickly,” Knepp said.
But, on a positive note, more commercial labs are seeing their tests approved.
“Supply is being ramped up. So, I think in the next week or two, we’re optimistic we’ll be able to up our testing numbers,” Knepp said.
